Premiership: Steven Luatua returns from injury to lead Bristol Bears against Gloucester

Bristol Bears and Newcastle Falcons will host Gloucester and London Irish respectively in the two Premiership games taking place this Friday.

Experienced back-rower Steven Luatua returns to the Bristol Bears starting line-up for Friday night’s West Country derby clash with Gloucester at Ashton Gate.

The All Black captains the side in his first start since dislocating his wrist against Harlequins last month, joining Sam Jeffries and Fitz Harding in the back-row.

Toby Fricker recovers from a chest injury to start on the wing for the first time since Boxing Day, with Luke Morahan switching to full-back in place of the injured Charles Piutau (groin).

Antoine Frisch partners Piers O’Conor in the midfield, while homegrown duo Andy Uren and Callum Sheedy line up as the starting half-backs.

Meanwhile, Gloucester head coach George Skivington has named an unchanged starting XV for this fixture, with Andrew Davidson’s inclusion on the bench being the only change to the Cherry and Whites’ matchday 23.

The Cherry and Whites return to Premiership action against Bristol Bears having beaten Northampton Saints last Saturday to progress into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Santiago Carreras starts at full-back with Ollie Thorley and Louis Rees-Zammit on the wings. Chris Harris and Mark Atkinson combine in the midfield with Adam Hastings and Charlie Chapman continuing their partnership at half-back.

In the forwards, Val Rapava-Ruskin, Santiago Socino and Fraser Balmain make up the front-row with Freddie Clarke and Matias Alemanno at lock. Jordy Reid, Ruan Ackermann and captain Lewis Ludlow complete the pack.

There is a strong list of replacements with Jack Singleton, Harry Elrington, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Davidson and Ben Morgan